Manchester City’s Englishmen would do well elsewhere

England international midfielder James Milner is one of the players being linked with a summer move

According to Sky Sports, Premier League champions Manchester City are set to allow five English players to leave the club this summer, despite the fact that the Citizens will need eight home-grown players in their squad for next season’s Champions League squad.

City have already been punished for breaking Financial Fair Play rules by being fined and being told they can name just 21 players in their Champions League squad for the new season.

However, the likes of Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, James Milner, Scott Sinclair and Micah Richards are all set to leave City this summer.

Out-of-contract

It is no surprise that England internationals Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott are set to leave City, as they are both out of contract at the club this summer. Both are on big wages, but are likely to attract interest from home and abroad.

Barry spent last season on-loan at Everton and was superb for the Toffees as they claimed a club-record Premier League points haul of 72. Everton boss Roberto Martinez wants Barry to sign a permanent deal, but there is also interest from Arsenal and Tottenham.

Former-Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott was probably slightly unlucky not to play more football at City his season. He was outstanding in City’s 2012 Premier League winning side and will no doubt easily find a club this summer.

Injured

All of the others have different circumstances. Jack Rodwell had so much promise, but that promise is cancelled out sometimes by the fact that he is perennially injured. The youngster had the same problem at Everton prior to his move to City.

If he could avoid the injuries, then Rodwell could be a very good player. Unfortunately those injuries have stalled his career development. The England international now needs to move to a club, where he can be natured in the right way.

It seems that a return to Everton for next season could be on the cards. Toffees boss Roberto Martinez was interested in bringing the youngster to Goodison in January, but the move failed. The Spaniard may be more successful with a summer move for the 23-year-old.

Micah Richards has been cursed with the same sort of injury problems that Rodwell has, but has played slightly more than the former-Everton midfielder. In the early stages of his career he was regarded as one of the best up-and-coming full-backs in English football.

However, loss of form and those aforementioned injury problems have hampered his development. Richards has also not been helped by the form of City’s Argentinian international Pablo Zabaleta, who has been outstanding for the last couple of seasons.

Despite his injury problems it seems that the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool are still keen to snap up the defender this summer.

Frustrated

City midfielder James Milner is much-maligned, but the former-Leeds ace does have a lot to offer a Premier League club. Even when he plays well for City, which is usually every game, he is the first player to be dropped from the starting line-up for the next game.

His energy and hard work is often mistaken for lack of skill, but he is far from poor when it comes to technical ability. The England international has recently revealed his frustration at the lack of starts and it would easy to see Milner leave City this summer. There will be no shortage of clubs lining up to sign the steady midfielder.

Struggled

It is difficult to know what to make of winger Scott Sinclair. The winger was allowed to leave Chelsea for Swansea, where he looked an exciting prospect. His move to City really has not worked out though as he struggled to get into the first team.

Last season he joined West Brom on a season-long loan and was expected to regain his Swansea form. Unfortunately he failed to even get into a struggling West Brom team, making just four starts and four substitute appearances for the Baggies.

Sinclair’s next move will define his career, as if he fails at his next club then he may be written off as yet another young English talent who failed to live up to his potential.

Gain

Manchester City’s liking for all things foreign may not be good for the England national team, but for some of their Premier League rivals, it could be a case of City’s loss is their gain this summer.

All five players are likely to stay in the Premier League this summer and most are likely to prove their worth to their next club.

Will Manchester City allow five of their English players leave this summer?